Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Fiji: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Health Coverage

   • Public divisional hospitals and community outreach: The Ministry of Health and Medical Services provides inpatient oncology, pain management, and supportive care free of charge to Fijian citizens at major divisional hospitals (Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Lautoka Hospital, and Labasa Hospital) as well as sub-divisional hospitals and community health centers [1]. Ask the treating specialist to prepare a written clinical summary, prescription schedule for pain-relief medications under the Medicinal Products Act, and a referral to district community health nurses for home-based monitoring [1].
   • Cancer and palliative support services: Coordinate alongside public hospital teams with accredited community support organizations (such as the Fiji Cancer Society) that assist patients with home visits, medical equipment loans (hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators), and transport to treatment [1] [2].
   • Private health insurance and FNPF Medical Early Withdrawal: If the ill person holds private health or critical-illness insurance, obtain prior authorization for private hospital admissions or overseas medical treatment [1] [3]. Additionally, members of the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) can apply for Medical Assistance Early Withdrawal from their FNPF General Account (or Preserved Account for approved life-threatening conditions) to fund specialized local or overseas medical treatment certified by a Ministry of Health medical board [3].
2. 2

   Record Advance Healthcare Directives and Designate a Medical Proxy

   • Written Advance Healthcare Directive and treatment preferences: In Fiji, patient consent and refusal of medical treatment are governed by common-law principles of bodily autonomy and Ministry of Health and Medical Services clinical consent policies, alongside mental health and capacity safeguards [1] [2]. While the ill person retains full decision-making capacity, they should sign a written statement of treatment preferences recording their instructions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and palliative sedation [1].
   • Designating a primary healthcare representative: Appoint a trusted spouse, adult child, or relative in writing as the primary medical contact and decision-maker, and ask the attending medical officer at the divisional or private hospital to file a signed copy directly inside the patient's clinical chart [1].
   • Medical records portability: Obtain certified copies of diagnostic pathology reports, imaging summaries, and current medication lists so home-care nurses and emergency medical officers have immediate visibility of the treatment plan [1].
3. 3

   Execute Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates While Capacity Is Intact

   • Power of Attorney under the Property Law Act and Powers of Attorney Act: Under Fijian law (overseen by the High Court of Fiji and the Registrar of Titles under the Ministry of Justice), an adult with full mental capacity may execute a formal Power of Attorney appointing a trusted attorney-in-fact to manage financial affairs, pay bills, deal with government agencies, and manage real estate [2].
   • Important capacity and registration rules in Fiji: A general Power of Attorney in Fiji must be signed by the donor in the presence of a qualified witness (such as a Solicitor/Barrister, Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or Commissioner for Oaths) while the donor has full mental capacity [2]. If the Power of Attorney authorizes any dealing with registered land (Freehold, State Lease, or iTaukei lease), it must be formally registered with the Office of the Registrar of Titles [2]. Because traditional common-law powers of attorney can be affected if the donor loses mental capacity, seek advice from a Fijian legal practitioner or the Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Limited on structuring enduring financial arrangements before capacity declines [2].
   • Commercial bank account mandates: Fijian commercial banks (BSP, ANZ, Westpac, BRED Bank, HFC Bank) require account holders to verify their identity and sign bank-specific third-party authority forms or joint-account mandates [2] [5]. Arrange for the ill person to add an authorized signatory or establish a dedicated medical-expense account while they are able to sign and complete biometric/ID verification [2] [5].
4. 4

   Activate FNPF Incapacity Benefits, Disability Allowances, and Caregiver Leave

   • Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Full Withdrawal on Medical Incapacity: Under the Fiji National Provident Fund Act, a member who is certified by an FNPF-approved medical board as permanently physically or mentally incapacitated from ever engaging in further employment is entitled to withdraw 100% of their FNPF total balance (both Preserved and General Accounts) during their lifetime [3]. Crucially, check with FNPF how a full withdrawal before death interacts with active membership for the FNPF Special Death Benefit (Funeral Assistance Grant), and ensure the FNPF Memorandum of Nomination of beneficiaries is completely up to date while the member has capacity [3].
   • Disability Allowance and Social Protection programs: Under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, individuals living with severe permanent disability or chronic incapacitating illness may apply at the nearest Department of Social Welfare office for the monthly Disability Allowance, Care and Protection support, and subsidized transport passes [2] [4].
   • Statutory Family Care Leave under the Employment Relations Act: Under Fiji's Employment Relations Act, employees who have completed more than three months of continuous service are entitled to paid Family Care Leave (in addition to annual and sick leave) to provide care or support to a member of their immediate family or household who is ill [4]. Caregivers should request a medical certificate from the treating Ministry of Health doctor to submit to their employer [1] [4].
5. 5

   Review the Will, FNPF Nomination, Civil Status Records, and Property Titles

   • Executing a valid Will under the Wills Act: Under Fiji's Wills Act (and the Succession, Probate and Administration Act administered through the High Court of Fiji and the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry framework under the Ministry of Justice), a valid will must be in writing and signed at the foot or end by the testator in the simultaneous presence of at least two independent adult witnesses, who must also sign in the presence of the testator and each other [2]. A beneficiary or the spouse of a beneficiary must never act as a witness to the will, as doing so voids the gift to that beneficiary [2]. The ill person may draft a will through a licensed Fijian legal practitioner or through the Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Limited [2].
   • Updating the FNPF Nomination of Beneficiaries: In Fiji, FNPF superannuation funds do not automatically pass under a personal will if a valid FNPF nomination is registered [3]. Instead, FNPF pays directly to the nominees listed on the official FNPF Nomination Form [3]. Verify and, if needed, update the FNPF nomination directly with FNPF (note that marriage under Fijian law automatically revokes a prior FNPF nomination and a prior will unless made in contemplation of that marriage) [2] [3].
   • Civil status, tax, and cross-border property records: Gather original Birth and Marriage Certificates from the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry, Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) registration records for iTaukei family members, land titles, and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) records with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) [2] [5]. Fiji levies no inheritance tax, and Capital Gains Tax is deferred on transmission at death [5]. Because Fiji is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, powers of attorney or property documents involving family members abroad can be authenticated via an Apostille through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Suva [2].

   Step	Deadline	Authority
   1. Coordinate palliative care & FNPF medical withdrawal	Upon diagnosis of life-limiting illness	Ministry of Health and Medical Services / Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF)
   2. Sign Advance Healthcare Directive & name medical proxy	While retaining full decision-making capacity	Ministry of Health and Medical Services / Treating Divisional Hospital
   3. Execute & register Power of Attorney and bank mandates	Before any loss of mental or legal capacity	Office of the Registrar of Titles (Ministry of Justice) / Commercial Banks
   4. Apply for FNPF Medical Incapacity & Family Care Leave	Upon medical board certification of incapacity	Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) / Department of Social Welfare
   5. Execute a valid Will & update FNPF Beneficiary Nomination	While retaining full testamentary capacity	Fiji Public Trustee / Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry / FNPF

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   World Health Organization - Fiji Health System and Medical Services Overview — World Health Organization (WHO)
2. [2]
   Fiji Country Profile, Vital Statistics, and Institutional Indicators — World Bank
3. [3]
   Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific - Fiji (FNPF) — U.S. Social Security Administration / ISSA
4. [4]
   Ministry of Health and Medical Services - Fiji Public Health Administration — Ministry of Health and Medical Services of Fiji
5. [5]
   Fiji Revenue and Customs Service - Tax and Customs Administration — Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS)